The Enhanced Replant Program provides support to help wine grape, berry, and tree fruit producers replace existing acreage with climate-resilient varieties that produce in-demand, premium fruit.

The Enhanced Replant Program (ERP), funded through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, seeks to increase the competitiveness and resiliency of the BC agri-food economy in domestic and global markets.

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Approach

Eligibility Criteria

Applications

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Funding Streams

Resources

Program Objective

ERP seeks to increase the competitiveness and resiliency of the BC agri-food economy in domestic and global markets by providing direct funding support to producers looking to replace damaged, diseased and low-producing vines, plants and trees with climate resilient varieties that produce in-demand, premium fruit.

Approach

Program Structure

Producers can access support for replant or removal activities through four funding streams. Separate application forms are required for each stream and only one ERP application (regardless of stream) can be submitted per farm each fiscal year.

Funding Stream Eligible Participants in British Columbia
Stream 1: Tree Fruit Replant Existing cherry, pome fruit (apple, pear), stone fruit (apricot, nectarine, peach, plum) or wine grape growers replanting their fields.
Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant Existing wine grape growers replanting their fields.
Stream 3: Berry Replant Existing blueberry and raspberry growers replanting their fields.
Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal Existing blueberry growers removing and not replanting their fields.
Existing cranberry growers renewing their fields.

Project Length

Producers accessing replant funding (streams 1 to 3) will have up to 24 months from the time of approval to complete projects.

Producers accessing removal / renewal funding (stream 4) will have up to 12 months from the time of approval to complete projects.

Project Funding Limits

Funding Stream Funding Details for Fields without Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim Funding Details for Fields with Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim Funding Limits per Farm Operation
Stream 1: Tree Fruit Replant Nursery stock: cost-shared 50% plant purchase and one-time plant licensing/plant royalty fees

OR

Home nurseries: cost-shared 100% one-time plant licensing/plant royalty fees, rootstock, and scion

 Nursery stock: cost-shared 25% plant purchase and one-time plant licensing/plant royalty fees

OR

Home nurseries: cost-shared 25% one-time plant licensing/plant royalty fees, rootstock, and scion

 Min: one (1) continuous acre

Max: 20 acres or 15% of existing acreage, whichever is greater

Funding Cap: up to a maximum $500,000¹
Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant
Stream 3: Berry Replant
Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal $2,500/acre blueberry removal
$5,000/acre cranberry renewal		 Not eligible

¹Total ERP funding cap over program duration per farm operation.

What does the funding limit mean?

Each farm operation can apply for a minimum of one (1) continuous acre per project up to a maximum of 20 acres or 15% of existing acreage (leased and owned), whichever is greater.

The total funding available for each farm operation over the duration of the program is capped at a maximum of $500,000.

Blueberry producers will receive a flat rate of $2,500 per acre of removal upon project completion. Cranberry producers will receive a flat rate of $5,000 per acre of removal upon project completion.

What’s a cost-shared ratio?

The cost-sharing ratio represents the proportion of eligible Total Project Costs contributed by both the applicant and the funder. For the Enhanced Replant Program, the cost-shared ratio depends on whether the applicant has been paid a Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim or has a Plant Loss Claim in progress for each field being replanted.

Applicants with a Plant Loss Claim

All applicants are required to indicate if they have been paid a Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim from January 1, 2023 onward or have a Plant Loss Claim in progress for the field/block being replanted. Cost-share ratios for applicants will be adjusted based on Business Risk Management Program claims at each planting and/or removal/renewal location.

FIELDS OR BLOCKS WHERE PRODUCTION INSURANCE HAS:

NOT PAID A PLANT LOSS CLAIM, or no active Plant Loss Claim is under consideration

  • Nursery Stock: Applicants will receive a 50% cost-share (reimbursement) for nursery plants and one-time plant royalty and/or licensing fee(s), when purchased from a commercial nursery.

OR

  • Home Nurseries: Applicants will receive a 100% cost-share (reimbursement) for one-time plant royalty and/or licensing fee(s), rootstock, and scion sourced from home nurseries (all other costs including maintenance fees are not eligible).

PAID A PLANT LOSS CLAIM (from January 1, 2023 onwards), or an active Plant Loss Claim is under consideration

  • Nursery Stock: Applicants will receive a 25% cost-share (reimbursement) for nursery plants and one-time plant royalty and/or licensing fee(s), when purchased from a commercial nursery.
  • Home Nurseries: Applicants will receive a 25% cost-share (reimbursement) for one-time plant royalty and/or licensing fee(s), rootstock, and scion for home nursery stock (all other costs including maintenance fees are not eligible).
  • Producers with active Plant Loss Claims are not eligible for removal/renewal funding.

Applicants who indicate they are enrolled in Production Insurance will have their information (including Production Insurance Policy Number, Physical Address of planting/removal location and Land Titles Parcel Identification (PID) number) sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Business Risk Management Branch to verify claim status.

Program-Wide Eligibility Criteria

The Enhanced Replant Program requires applicants to meet program-wide eligibility criteria AND stream-specific eligibility criteria. This section outlines the eligibility criteria all applicants must meet. Funding stream-specific eligibility criteria is found on the individual funding stream pages. Applicants are responsible for reviewing and understanding both program-wide and stream-specific eligibility criteria before submitting their application.

  • 1

    Read through the program wide-eligibility criteria below.

  • 2

    If you meet the program-wide eligibility criteria, proceed to the funding stream you would like to apply for and read through the stream-specific eligibility criteria to determine if you’re eligible.

Looking for the Stream-Specific Eligibility Criteria?

Eligible Applicants

Funding Stream Eligible Participants in British Columbia
Stream 1: Tree Fruit Replant Existing cherry, pome fruit (apple, pear), stone fruit (apricot, nectarine, peach, plum) or wine grape growers replanting their fields.
Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant Existing wine grape growers replanting their fields.
Stream 3: Berry Replant Existing blueberry and raspberry growers replanting their fields.
Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal Existing blueberry growers removing and not replanting their fields.
Existing cranberry growers renewing their fields.

All applicants for ERP must:

  • Be an existing blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, tree fruit, or wine grape grower in British Columbia, farming over 1 acre of perennial crops.
    • Only existing blueberry or cranberry growers are eligible for Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal.
  • Be the owner or lessee of the land.
  • Indicate if they have been paid a Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim or have a Plant Loss Claim in progress.
  • Demonstrate financial viability to complete and maintain a project.
  • Be in good standing with council(s) identified by the corresponding industry association (see Appendices).
  • Maintain the property as a commercial operation for at least four (4) years after replanting.

Ineligible Applicants

  • Annual crop producers, forage producers, non-commercial producers, and farmland outside of BC.
  • Sectors that do not have an opportunity assessment completed and pre-approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
  • Producers that do not meet sector-specific criteria (Appendices).
  • Producers with active Plant Loss Claims are not eligible for Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal.
  • Applicants can’t have an active project with the Perennial Crop Renewal Program (PCPR) (2023 -2025) and ERP at the same time. Once a PCRP project is complete, you are eligible to apply for ERP.

Eligible Activities and Expenditures

Eligible activities and expenditures for the Enhanced Replant Program include:

Replant Projects (Streams 1 to 3)

  • The replant site must be in British Columbia.
  • Each replant project must cover at a minimum (1) acre of continuous land
  • Plant costs: provided planting takes place after application approval and plants have not been funded through other programs.
    • Nursery Stock: plant costs and one-time licensing/plant royalty fees.
    • Home nursery stock: one-time licensing/plant royalty fees, rootstock, and scion.
  • Based on current projections, the replant site is commercially viable (i.e. will generate a positive return) at full production (a form will be provided at time of application to confirm).
  • For each replanted site, applicants must be a licensed water user, be within an irrigation district, or have submitted a water use license application prior to applying.
    • Audited applicants must provide proof (e.g., water bill or license).
  • Irrigation systems must be installed at planting (wine grape growers on Vancouver Island are exempted from irrigation system installation requirements).

Removal/Renewal Projects (Stream 4)

  • The removal/renewal site must be in British Columbia.
  • Each removal/renewal project must cover at a minimum of one (1) acre of continuous land.
  • Removal costs: provided removal of plants takes place after application approval and removal has not been funded through other programs.
  • Renewal costs: provided removal of plants takes place after application approval and removal had not been funded through other programs.

Note: Retroactive plant purchases that took place on or after January 1, 2022 are eligible for cost-sharing, provided they have not already been cost-shared through another government program (i.e. Perennial Crop Renewal Program). Approved applicants will be reimbursed for eligible costs upon project completion and submission of receipts.

Ineligible Activities and Expenses

  • New plantings (including farm expansions and the establishment of crops on bare land or land previously utilized for non-perennial crops or non-food perennial crops).
  • Home nurseries: the cost of plants (including maintenance fees).
  • Good and Services Tax (GST).
  • In-kind expenses.
  • Taxes and duty or shipping costs.
  • Other planting or removal costs including but not limited to: rental of equipment, purchase of posts and wire, labour etc.
  • Interplanting in existing orchards or vineyards (planting young plants between each existing plant in the row).
  • Ongoing annual royalty payments (per acre, per linear foot, or per fruit sold).
  • Ineligible commodity-specific criteria as outlined in the sector-specific planting/removal guidelines.

Applications

Important Dates

Applications will be accepted starting on October 29, 2024. Applicants will have the opportunity to prepare and draft applications before submission. See the table below for the timelines for each funding stream.

Funding Stream Applications Open Submissions Open Applications Close
Stream 1: Tree Fruit Replant October 29, 2024 November 26, 2024, at 9 AM December 3, 2024, at 4 PM
Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant October 29, 2024 November 26, 2024, at 9 AM December 3, 2024, at 4 PM
Stream 3: Berry Replant November 7, 2024 December 5, 2024, at 9 AM December 12, 2024, at 4 PM
Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal November 7, 2024 December 5, 2024, at 9 AM December 12, 2024, at 4 PM

Application Process

Applicants can apply through the IAF Client Portal. The application process and required documents are specific to each funding stream. The application process will generally consist of:

REMINDER: Do not wait to start this process – it can take up to two business days to validate your organization!

Create a personal profile (name and email)

Provide organization information, including:

  • Name
  • Contact details
  • Type of organization
  • BC ID / CRA numbers
  • Primary contact
  • And more

Select the Enhanced Replant Program from Funding Opportunities, and provide:

  • Additional applicant information, including commodity type
  • Parcel Identification Number PID and civic address for each planting or removal/renewal site
  • Planting proposal, including field size (acres), variety, planting density, site map etc.
  • Total Plant Cost (if applicable) and Funding Request
  • All applicants may also be required to complete and submit an AF Demographic Survey with their ERP application; Confirmation ID numbers are submitted with each ERP application.
  • Participants of the Business Risk Management (BRM) program, will also be asked to provide:
    • Production Insurance Policy Number, physical address of the planting that is being removed or replanted; and the Land Titles Parcel Identification (PID) number. How to Find the BC Land Titles Parcel ID (PID) Using a Civic Address.
    • Any payments received for Production Insurance plant loss claim or if a plant loss claim is in progress.
    • AgriStability Participant Identification Number, if enrolled.
  • Supporting documents (i.e. confirmed plant order). These documents can be uploaded through the IAF Client Portal as attachments to the application.

IAF staff are available to answer questions regarding eligible activities, costs and/or the application process. IAF may also contact applicants for additional information or clarification to assess their application. Applicants can contact erp@iafbc.ca with any questions about the program or to receive support in developing their application or book an appointment for a phone call.

Applicants are encouraged to include only activities they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits.

Note: Applying to the program is not a guarantee of funding. Applications that are incomplete or do not meet eligibility criteria will not fulfill the program’s requirements and may adversely affect your funding decision.

Need help with IAF’s Client Portal?

We’ve created a number of tutorials and FAQs about the IAF Client Portal to help you navigate this resource successfully.

Review and Adjudication

Prior to funding decisions being made, project applications are screened and reviewed by IAF and may be reviewed by a technical expert. The application review process will include:

  • Ensuring application completeness.
  • Organization/Applicant eligibility check.
  • Project eligibility check.

Upon successful completion of review by IAF staff, 10% of eligible applications will be selected for further audit and review. This audit will include a secondary review of applications by an Accredited Professional focused on validating/verifying any or all the technical information supplied or required. Additional information may be requested from the applicant before it can be considered for funding.

Note: Applications that fail the audit requirements may be deemed ineligible and not funded.

IAF will email the applicant within 20 business days of submitting a complete application with a funding decision (service timelines may be impacted by IAF’s Winter office closure). Please note, if an application is sent back for further information or revisions this will reset the 20-business day application review timeline. All funding decisions are final. All applicants will receive a funding decision email from IAF via the IAF Client Portal. The status of an application can be found in the IAF Client Portal.

Program Scoring Criteria

All eligible applications will be scored based on specific criteria provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food; this may include:

  • Confirmed plant order for all fields at the time of application.
  • Enrollment in Production Insurance.
  • Enrollment in AgriStability or vertical integration that makes them ineligible for AgriStability.
  • A current Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) or in the process of renewing/applying for one.
  • A business plan that meets Ministry requirements and was developed within the last five years.

Additional Scoring Criteria

The following additional scoring criteria outline are specific for each funding stream related to replanting and removal/renewal activities:

Stream 1: Tree Fruit Replant

  • Field(s) being replanted will be cover cropped or left fallow for at least 12 months prior to planting.

Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant

  • Field(s) being replanted will be cover cropped or left fallow for at least 12 months prior to planting.
  • Sustainable Wine BC (SWBC) member OR have completed the SWBC online self-assessment.

Stream 3: Berry Replant

  • Field(s) being replanted will be cover cropped for at least 6 months prior to planting.

Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal

  • Blueberry Removal: Fields are being removed due to high levels of Blueberry Scorch Virus.
  • Cranberry Removal: Removing old varieties including Stevens, Berman, Pilgrim, Ben Lear, McFarlin, or Grygleski Hybrid 1.

Funding will be awarded to high-scoring applicants first, until the program allocations are exhausted.

Notifications & Obligations

Funding Notifications & Contracts

If the project is approved, IAF will inform the applicant of the details of the decision and any associated terms and conditions by email. Notification will be provided within 20 business days of a completed application submission. Please note, due to the December submission deadline service timelines may be impacted by IAF’s Winter office closure.

Funding is application and project-specific and must be used for the approved project and eligible expenses as outlined. Funds are non-transferable. Retroactive approvals are eligible for ERP. Replanting activities are eligible provided the purchase was made on or after January 1, 2022.

Approved replant projects, including those that receive a conditional approval, must be completed within 24 months of funding decision notification. Approved removal projects must be completed within 12 months of funding decision notification. Applicants without a confirmed plant order may receive conditional funding approval, pending the submission of an order confirmation to IAF. Conditional approval is valid for 60 days; failure to submit an order confirmation will result in cancellation of conditional approval. Applicants would be required to resubmit pending reopening of an application window. No project extensions will be considered.

Approved applicants will be published annually on the IAF website, highlighting funding awarded to producers and key program achievements to date.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants must complete all removal/renewal or replanting activities, submit a project report and/or successfully complete an on-site field inspection prior to receiving payment. Project report(s) must be completed and submitted to IAF, with receipts and invoices (as applicable), to be considered for funding reimbursement. It is important the final report is submitted on time and with all required information. Expenses will be reimbursed based on the submitted receipts, the approved project proposal, and the corresponding cost-share ratio. Payments will be made in CAD with exchange rates calculated at the time of payment unless a proof of exchange rate is provided. All reporting will be completed via the IAF Client Portal.

Cranberry renewal and blueberry removal projects will be reimbursed based on a flat rate per acre following the completion of removal activities. Final reporting will be required before funding payments are issued.

Final Project Reports

Final project reports will include, but may not be limited to:

  • Replant Projects: Image(s) of each project location, showing planted rows and installed irrigation.
  • Replant/Removal Projects: Image(s) of each project location, showing all plants and obsolete infrastructure have been removed and disposed of
  • Confirmed total number of plants/acres planted or removed
  • Provide supporting documents (receipts, invoices etc.)
  • Producer planting survey
  • Attestation of work complete

A progress report(s) may be required for projects that exceed 12-months in duration.

If a report is submitted by a producer, shows evidence of inter-planting, the project will automatically require an on-site field inspection and may be ineligible for funding.

Field Inspections

Field inspection process: Approved projects selected to participate in the field inspection audit will be automatically notified when a final report is completed / submitted to IAF through the IAF Client Portal.

Field inspections will be conducted for a minimum of 25% of completed projects, by a qualified professional scheduling an on-site visit with the producer. Field inspections will take place within 3-6 months of project completion and planting. Final payments will be based on the outcome of the inspection and assessment of the project’s progress.

Criteria for each inspection could include, but is not limited to:

  • Verify project location.
  • Verify the commodity planted.
  • Verify the source of planting stock and varieties.
  • Assess site preparation and weed control.
  • Measure average plant spacing and row spacing.
  • Measure field area.
  • Assess plant quality in terms of overall health.
  • Ensure support system/trellising is in place and trees are tied (if applicable).
  • Ensure permanent irrigation system is installed.
  • Verify the previous planting in field block have been removed and obsolete infrastructure has been removed and disposed of.
  • Take photos.

Note: Projects that fail the field inspection requirements may be deemed ineligible and not funded.

Payments will only be issued to producers following project completion and/or field inspection.

Funding Acknowledgement

This program is funded by the Government of British Columbia. As such, acknowledgement of funding is required when publicly communicating about a project and/or funding. To ensure appropriate acknowledgement, all communications and marketing materials, including public announcements or social media posts, must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team. Details on correctly acknowledging funding can be found on the project resource hub. Materials must be submitted via the IAF Client Portal.

Program Funding Streams

In addition to the ERP program-wide eligibility criteria, applicants are also responsible for meeting the stream-specific eligibility criteria. For the stream-specific eligibility criteria and additional information on each funding stream, click on the funding stream you would like to apply for.

Stream 1: Tree Fruit Replant

Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant

Stream 3: Berry Replant

Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal

Resources

FAQ

Your organization must register through the IAF Client Portal to apply to IAF programs. Please note, if you have not already registered, this process can take up to 2 business days and must be completed before the application deadline.

IAF provides payments by EFT (direct deposit). To get your EFT information set up to ensure timely delivery of your payment(s) please follow the directions provided here to update your client portal.

Producers accessing replant funding (Streams 1 to 3) will have up to 24 months from the time of approval to complete projects.

Producers accessing removal / renewal funding (Stream 4) will have up to 12 months from the time of approval to complete projects.

Please provide the status of the permit and any supporting documentation at the time of application.

All recipients are required to comply with all necessary laws and regulations.

No, GST is not eligible for reimbursement.

No, only existing wine grape growers are eligible to to apply to replant wine grapes. 

Yes, you’re eligible to apply to replace existing acreage with new cherry orchards, new pome fruit (apple, pear) orchards or new stone fruit (apricot, nectarine, peach, plum) orchards.

Ongoing annual royalty payments (per acre, per linear foot, or per fruit sold) are ineligible.

The cost-share ratio for one-time plant royalty and licensing fees will depend on whether the producer has a plant loss claim, and whether they purchase plants from a commercial nursery or home nursery stock.

For producers without a plant loss claim:

  • Nursery Stock: Applicants will receive 50% cost-share (reimbursement) for nursery plants and one-time plant royalty and/or licensing fee(s) when purchased from a commercial nursery.
  • Home Nurseries: Applicants will receive 100% cost-share (reimbursement) for one-time plant royalty and/or licensing fee(s), rootstock, and scion.

For producers with a plant loss claim (from January 1, 2023 onwards):

  • Nursery Stock: Applicants will receive a 25% cost-share (reimbursement) for plants purchased from a commercial nursery
  • Home Nurseries:  Applicants will receive a 25% cost-share (reimbursement) for one-time plant royalty and/or licensing fee(s), rootstock, and scion for home nursery stock.

Have a Question?

Contact the IAF Team

Enhanced Replant Program Guide

Download the Enhanced Replant Program Guide.

Have a Current Project?

Please visit the program’s Project Resource Hub for more information.

Business Planning Resources

Visit the BC Government’s Business Planning Resources.

Business Plan Checklist

Visit the BC Government’s Writing a Business Plan Checklist.

Best Practices for Replanting Blueberries

Check out the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Best Practices for Replanting Blueberries.

Best Practices for Replanting Raspberries

Check out the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Best Practices for Replanting Raspberries.

Best Practices for Replanting Tree Fruit

Check out the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Best Practices for Replanting Tree Fruit.

Best Practices for Replanting Wine Gapes

Check out the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Best Practices for Replanting Wine Grapes.

Government of BC’s ERP website

Check out the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Enhanced Replant Program website for background information and news releases.

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We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.